geraldine dawson, the chief science officer for autism speaks. she was a professor of psychology and psychiatry at the university of washington. she is the founding director of the university's autism center. she received her ph.d. from the university of washington. thank you very much an please proceed. >> good morning, mr. chairman. i want to thank you for inviting me. i am very ironed to appear before the subcommittee. i want to thank the committee members and you for your leadership and -- in providing full funding for it become bidding -- combating what is impact. also for your appropriations bill. this year, more children will be diagnosed with autism then with aids, diabetes, and cancer combined. autism research is still significantly underfunded despite greater public and congressional awareness. for example, leukemia affects one in 25,000 people but receives research funding for $310 million annually. pediatric aids affects one in 8000 children. ts its funding is tutored $55 million per year per it autism affects one in 150 individuals